Qari Abdul Waheed Chishti

Qari Waheed Chishti is recognised as one of Pakistan's prolific and promising Qawwali, singers, already proving to be a master of this Sufi devotional music his style is invigorated by the spirit and energy of a new generation. He has an impeccable musical pedigree - being the son of the late Qawwal Qari Mohammed Saeed Chishti, he learnt Qawwali singing directly from his father, who sang in five languages including English, Arabic, Pashto, Urdu and Punjabi. This bought his father to instant fame, not only in Pakistan but throughout the world. His late father had a career span of 11 super hit albums, before he was assassinated during a live concert in Pakistan.

The Son has followed his father's footsteps and has the enthusiasm and drive to carry the message of QAWWALI forward. With hits such as "DUM A DUM Must Qalandar", "Peeron Ke Peer Hai", "Oh Sayaan Badiyan Naseeba Waliyan", "Saaqiyan hor Pila", "Jaaon ki bunke Jogan", "Vekh Vekh Ke Aavein", " Chamak Tujh Say Paatay Hain sab" to name a few,

The origins of Qawwali music trace back over seven hundred years to the spiritual songs of Persia. Qawwali's devotional themes of peace and love are held to come from God, sung on earth by the Prophets who followed Muhammad. As a musical style it is closely linked to the spiritual and artistic life of Northern India and Pakistan, and is based in the Sufi tradition; Sufism is a mystical school of thought, which strives to attain truth and divine love by direct personal experience. Romantic love is used as a metaphor for spiritual adoration and mystical enlightenment, drawing upon a rich vein of poetic imagery. A song will usually begin with a slow instrumental vamp that introduces the melody. The lead singer then meanders in with the first line and establishes a call-and-response pattern. Phrases are repeated over and over again, punctuated by sudden and furious breaks of florid virtuoso singing by the leader. As the piece progresses the tempo and volume are gradually increased, elevating the listeners to higher and higher states of entrancement.

The Chishti family were very much influenced by the late great artist, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and in fact come from the same city of Faisalabad. It was the energetic recordings and concerts of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan(1948-1997) which first introduced Qawwali music to Western audiences. His singing effortlessly transcended language and cultural barriers, and his spirit reached and moved people all over the world. Today, Qawwali is seen as one of the world's most passionate and vibrant forms of music.